I was reading this patent IBM filed on a type of armor that sends electrical impulses to specific parts of your body as soon as it detects incoming projectiles aiming to make your body twitch in such a way that the incoming projectile misses. Just after the internet started buzzing about this bullet-dodging armor, IBM removed the patent for some unknown reason. You can download the original patent application here: 14786419 (Thanks to the Firearm Blog for keeping a copy)
The armor is not designed to stop close-range bullets as that would surely require lightning fast movements, fast enough to rip your limbs of your body, instead, this is armour is designed to detect bullets coming from a distance, say a sniper rifle over a long distance for example, which then gives the armour enough time to calculate the position and trajectory of the projectile and what action to take in order to move the target out of the way.
Quote from the patent description:
The present invention relates generally to the protection of an individual against a projectile propelled from a firearm. More particularly, the present invention relates to a body armor system and its method of use that is capable of detecting a projectile propelled from a firearm, computing the trajectory of the projectile, and moving the individual out of the path of the projectile to avoid being hit.
Historically, certain individuals have been exposed to the threat of assassination because of their status in society. Examples of these individuals include, but are not limited to, high ranking politicians, clerics, successful industrial entrepreneurs, and military personnel. These individuals tend to be most vulnerable during those times when they are publicly addressing large crowds, making them easy targets for snipers.
In the past, the only effective protection against “sniper fire” has been to wear bullet proof body armor…. Furthermore using armor-piercing ammunition renders body-armors even less effective and desirable.
Since IBM withdrew their patent, does anyone here have enough money to re-patent this? Don’t expect me to test it for you though :p
Classic. i wonder what one would name it. How about the missing limb. Lol
I Wonder why they canceled the patent?
LOL, I suppose if the patent is public, then somebody can work out a way to confuse the armor and cause a “Blue Screen Of Death”.
Looking at the patent, it should be possible to analyze it and find a specific frequency that will overflow or confuse the system meaning the sniper will need an accomplish beaming the armor with this specific frequency while the sniper does his job from another angle.
Since this armor is against a highly specialized type of attack, there’s no point in making it public knowledge as the attacker will automatically have access to it as well. Taking it down was probably an attempt to silence it as far as possible.